Our hearts and minds goes out to our brothers and sisters in Japan. The earthquake, tsunami and the ensuing nuclear reactor issues would have been a 1, 2, 3 knockout for the average country and its citizens. Yet the Japanese people are resilient as history has clearly document. Yet at this time, the amount of stress that pervades the daily existence in many parts of Japan are exorbinantly high. We will discuss stress in some of our upcoming blogs relative to natural ways to support the body. This blog though is dedicated to another kind of stress, the physical stress of radiation exposure. When radiation interacts with the cellular structure and function of the 75 trillion cells that comprise the human frame, the actual DNA that encodes our very essence can become damage.

I recently assisted 10 Japanese-Americans prepare for their mission of going over to Japan to help out, as I coached them on ways to protect their DNA and overall health. My advice included use Alpha Lipoic Acid along with other antioxidants. Researchers have pointed out that alpha lipoic acid conferred protection after the Chernobyl radiation exposure. In addition to alpha lipoic acid, I even recommend for my patients that are even going in for dental x-rays, CT diagnostic imaging, tradition X-rays for broken bones and alike, a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E and either grapeseed and/or resveratrol. Why the combination in addition to alpha lipoic acid?

The answer is simple, a combiantion of water soluble, fat soluble and supporting glutathione production (natural antixoidant made in the body) are all vitally important to proect the various aspects of our body, tissues and fluids.

Bottomline: We should not wait for a disaster to start upping our antioxidants. Daily living in our modern world warrants a strong protective approach to guarding against the ravages of modern living. It is time to quench the free radicals that left to their own devices would destroy our body from the inside-out.

To learn about selenium is to love selenium. It is the only mineral that qualifies for a Food and Drug Administration approved qualified health claim for general cancer reduction incidence. This is huge. It is also a mineral that is deficient in the soil in many parts of the world and if it is not in the soil,then it can’t be in your food! Furthermore, low levels of selenium can lead to fatigue, mental fogginess and infertility.

Your body desperately needs selenium, so my patients will take it as a stand alone nutrient or as part of a solid multivitamin. How badly does the body want selenium? Well it is needed for some 50 to 100 different proteins in your body! Selenium is needed for a healthy heart, thyroid and prostate and helps protect the entire body as an antioxidant.

Selenium levels in the United Kingdom have fallen from 60 to 34 micrograms per day. The European recommended daily intake (RDI) is 65 micrograms. The recommended EC Tolerable Upper Intake Level for selenium is 300 micrograms per day.

Bottomline: Selenium is an under appreciated and rarely discussed trace mineral. It only take microgram dosages to get the job done. Remembering that 1000 mcg = 1 milligram. So, a common daily dose of 100 to 200 mcg per day, is more than enough to get the job done. Yet, to fall short, is to literally leave ones body unnecessarily open to potential health consequences. A good multivitamin usually delivers what it takes for the average person to hedge against falling short.

What did the researchers recently report they discovered when they looked at 200 elderly individuals? They found that the higher the vitamin K intake, the higher the bone density. However, the problem is that we get vitamin K from vegetables and the friendly bacteria in your gut. The challenge is only 11% of Americans eat 5 to 7 servings of fresh veggies and fruit. To make things worse, due to chlorinated water, antibiotic use medicinally and antibiotics in our food supply, our guts are all too often not up to the task of producing sufficient vitamin K; so I have observed in my clinical practice of almost 20 years.

There exists two primary forms of vitamin K: phylloquinone (vitamin K1) which is found in green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli and spinach. Vitamin K1 comprises upwards of 90 per cent of the vitamin K in the typical American diet. On the other hand menaquinones (vitamins K2), makes up the remaining 10 per cent of vitamin K consumed and made in the gut by microflora.

Bottomline: As you have heard from me before, it is of paramount importance to eat your veggies. They deliver fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients and nourish the body well. Now there is yet another reason to sit down and get serious about cleaning your plate when it comes to veggies, your bones are counting on it. A good multivitamin usually contains some vitamin K; I also tell my patients that friend flora on a daily basis is a strong consideration for all those serious about long term wellness. Note: Those taking Coumadin/warfarin, a certain kind of blood thinner or those with clotting disorders should not take vitamin K unless approved by their doctor.

Health Tips
On the Go!

Improve Posture

1.Avoid slouching. Be aware of your posture as you walk, sit, and drive, keep shoulders squared and head pulled back and up.

2.Imagine a thread pulling the top of your head toward the ceiling. Visualization can help improve your sense of position.

3.If your job requires you to sit for long periods, take frequent breaks to stand, stretch and shake it out.

4.Maintain a strong core to help support proper posture. Add core-training exercises to your daily routine.

5.A firm mattress and ergonomic pillow help achieve proper back support while you sleep, so you'll stand straighter in the a.m.

Please Note: The information and all statements provided on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information provided, and any products or services mentioned, are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Please speak with a health professional for your individual health and medical concerns and consultation.